Holy reality check! I have NO IDEA how working moms do it/did it/have always done it… No, I did not think it would be easy. But I did underestimate the effort it would take to transition back into the working world.
Yes, there’s a huge wakeup call going on in my brain right now, and it centers around trying to straddle numerous worlds: kicking butt at work; having time to catch up with Joe–either via telephone when he’s traveling, or in-person (luck!) when he’s home and I’m still awake; enjoying Noe when I’m home; helping to keep the household running (including keeping breast pump parts cleaned and ready to go to work each day, ha!).
The nice thing is that whenever something does stress me out at work now, I just shoot a quick glance over at the photo of Noe and things start to come back into perspective. What can I say? She is my complete weakness (and wakeup call of another sort!) in a GOOD way.
These last few weeks I’m reminded of what it felt like when I started grad school in the fall of 2006 (full-time work and full-time school), and Joe’s aunt, a professor at the University of Virginia, told me to give my brain plenty of time to adjust to being back in the academic world. She was so right back then, and I’m applying the same concept to work and mommyhood now. Let. The Brain. Breathe. Ahhhhhhh.
I’ve been away from the blog for almost two weeks. Arrrrrrrgh. And no, it’s not that I envision you waiting with bated breath for the next post. It’s that selfishly, I want to look back on this in 10 years (if it still exists in some way shape or form, maybe archived on my hard drive in the garage?) and watch Noe grow up, week-by-week. That’d be so cool.
So, on to “the squirt,” as one of my dear co-workers calls her. It’s been a BIG couple of weeks. Lots happenin’ and lots to try and recall: first spoonfuls of rice cereal last week (wooooot!); becoming even more advanced in the Exersaucer (which we now call “the office” to steal from Mike and Stacy); rolling over both ways (front to back and back to front); first TWO teeth (yes, if Joe were reading this with you he’d tell you I’ve completely buried the lede!); and just hangin’ out and being SWEET in general.
About the teeth: I found the first one (her bottom front-right) Wednesday eve (May 20) while we were playing… Thursday morning (May 21), the second one (her bottom front-left) reared its cute little head. This does seem a little early to me in some respects, being she’s just 4 1/2 months old; however, she’s been showing strong signs of teething since 9 weeks. Whew! It’s good to know they’re finally on their way.
Speaking of getting on with it… here are pics from the last two weeks:
Hangin’ out with me at home on a non-work day last week
More R&R
Notice the drool – that means she’s totally relaxxxxxxxed ;-
First bites of rice cereal on May 14
At work in her “office”
She says, “Mom, quit bothering me while I’m trying to get my work done!”
“Woman, PUT THE CAMERA DOWN, or I’m never going to get these TPS reports done before naptime!”
And chillin’ at home with me on May 21
On the road, too September 24, 2008
Whew, what a week. I haven’t posted lately due to lots of travel. Joe’s and mine…
Last weekend I was lucky enough to join up with Joe in Tampa. It was the conclusion of a three-city, 11-day trip for him. I spent most of my time getting rest at the hotel (some at the pool), reading another novel set in the Elizabethan era (my latest craze), and watching the Sun Devils get beat by No. 3 Georgia.
I went to the Friday night Twins-Rays game while Joe worked. It was my first time at Tropicana Field, and all I have to say is: Freakin’ Circus Tent. I will no longer apologize for the Metrodome. It may be smaller and provide better views for a baseball game, but the atmosphere reminds me of a minor league hockey game. Oh, and the fans are WAY into cow bells. Sorry, but wasn’t that a Saturday NIght Live skit that we’ve all had enough of by now??? And no, I’m not bitter about them going from worst to first. Good for them. Just no more cow bell, please.
On a positive note, they serve up a great grilled turkey burger at the Trop. Which reminds me, some day I’d like to write a book about the best eats for chicks at MLB ballparks. My pick for No. 1 has to be the Cha-Cha Bowl at AT&T Park in SF. Mmmmm: Jerk chicken goodness with black beans, pineapple salsa, etc.
This week I’m in the midst of logging some 600 miles of driving throughout Minnesota, for work… It sounds daunting, but it’s actually been a pretty neat project to see through. I’m producing a video for the organization’s 100th birthday (next year), and the storylines we’ve chosen are taking us to some random (but beautiful) Minnesota cities, from Winona to Windom. Here’s a taste of the route the videographer and I are in the process of taking this week:
Preggo Stuff:The pregnancy continues to go well. The weekly automated message I subscribe to at www.BabyCenter.com says that at 26 weeks, Baby’s ears are much more developed. He or she can hear us chatting to each other and even recognize our voices. Cool stuff to ponder.
As for my size these days… I prefer to think of myself as “radiant.” Large and easily overheated, but oh so radiant (or sweaty, same thing).